Board of Directors

Dr. Laurel Short is a Family Nurse Practitioner at Sunflower Medical in Roeland Park, Kansas. She earned her undergraduate degree in Nursing from Luther College and a master’s degree in Nursing from the University of Kansas. She completed her Doctor of Nursing degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City with an emphasis on self-management for chronic migraine. Self-management for chronic conditions has been a focus for Laurel throughout her nursing career, and she is passionate about partnering with patients to maximize their function and wellness. Prior to joining Sunflower Medical Group, Laurel worked in the area of physical medicine and rehabilitation for ten years. This specialty involves addressing functional issues for orthopedic and neurologic conditions, and she enjoys blending this experience with primary care.

Procedures and special skills Laurel offers include muscle and joint evaluation and injections, headache management, durable medical equipment (DME) consultations, and therapeutic lifestyle coaching.

She is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and has a Certificate of Added Qualification in Headache Medicine. Laurel is an active leader with the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals.

Outside of the office, you will find her training for endurance events, traveling, and chasing after her two young children.

Merilyn joined RHS in May 2015, she is the lead nurse practitioner at RHS managed Grow Well clinic located in Garden City, KS.

In the last three decades, Merilyn has been focused on helping her patients achieve optimal health and reach retirement age in the best possible physical and mental health.

She holds a MS and a Doctorate in Nursing (University of Kansas). She is certified in family practice and is a Diplomat of Comprehensive Care.

She is a leader in her profession and her community.

In 2013 she received a state award from American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Jennifer Thornberry, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC is an Assistant Professor at Wichita State University for the Graduate School of Nursing. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Kentucky in 1992, her Master of Science in Nursing at Murray State University in 1997, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Wichita State University in 2020. She has practiced as a Family Nurse Practitioner since 1997 in the areas of Family Practice, Urgent Care, Student Health, and Retail Health. Jennifer and her husband live in Wichita, Kansas with 3 children, a dog, two cats, a rabbit, and many fish in their pond. Jennifer enjoys gardening, quilting, reading, and traveling.

Dustin is an advanced practice registered nurse who is board certified and licensed as a family nurse practitioner by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). He is the CEO and founder of Tallgrass Primary Care & House Calls, a home-based primary care practice. Dustin received his training from Graceland University in Independence, Missouri, where he received a Master's in Nursing as a family nurse practitioner and nurse educator. He obtained his undergraduate degree at MidAmerica Nazarene University, where he has served as clinical faculty for the last 5 years. He is a Kansas native, born in Ottawa. He comes with over 20 years of diverse healthcare experience serving patients in small medical practices to large academic medical centers. Dustin serves on the board of the Kansas State Nurses Association (KSNA), Kansas Advanced Practice Nurse Association (KAPN), and is a strong advocate for elder care. In his pastime he enjoys going on mission trips to serve and minister to the indigenous people of Guatemala. 

Uyen’s clinical experience includes work as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings.

Uyen received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, her Master of Science in Nursing degree from Wichita State University, and her Doctorate in Nursing Practice degree at Wichita State University. Uyen is Board Certified by the ANCC as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Uyen appreciates the opportunity to work in an integrated practice setting. “Health Ministries allows for a holistic approach to care. I truly believed that is how health care should be”.

Sonia graduated with an Associates Degree in Nursing in 1996. She worked in a small rural hospital while obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fort Hays State University. Sonia’s Master in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner was obtained in 2000 from the University of Kansas. After working for a family practice clinic as a primary care nurse practitioner for 4 years, Sonia decided to begin pursuing her career in anesthesia. Graduating in 2006 with a Masters Degree in Nurse Anesthesia and in 2017 with a Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia Practice both from Texas Wesleyan University.   Sonia obtained her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree from Washburn University in 2020. Sonia is triple board certified in nurse anesthesia, as a family nurse practitioner, and as a psychiatric  mental health nurse practitioner. Her Nurse Anesthesia Certification is held by the National Board of Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA),  her Nurse Practitioner certification is through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANP) and her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification is through  American Nurses Credentialing Center. She is a member of the the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists, and Practitioners  where she is a member of the Advanced Practice Provider Panel. Sonia also belongs to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and American Nurses Association. 

Belinda Childs is Executive Director and a Diabetes Clinical Nurse Specialist at Great Plains Diabetes. She is also an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Nursing at Wichita State University. She graduated from Wichita State University with a Masters in Nursing, Diabetes Nurse Specialist. She started working with Drs. Richard and Diana Guthrie at KU Medical School-Wichita in 1979, moved to MidAmerica Diabetes Associates and was with them from 1985 until Dr. Guthrie’s retirement in 2014. She then founded Great Plains Diabetes Clinic with the support of the Board with Julie Dvorak, RN,CDE and Rita Pedigo. Mrs. Childs served as editor for Diabetes Spectrum from 2001 to 2005, is the editor of The Complete Nurses Guide to Diabetes Care, and has authored several publications. She is a member of American Association of Diabetes Educators, the American Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau, and the American Diabetes Association (where she is a past president of Health Care & Education) and the Kansas Advanced Practice Nurses, currently serving as a Director, CNS. Mrs. Childs is the 2010 recipient of the American Diabetes Association's Outstanding Educator in Diabetes Award and the 1997 recipient of the American Diabetes Association Dr. Rachmiel Levine Award. She also served on the 2005/2012 ADA Advisory Panel on hypoglycemia and has served on the International Hypoglycemia Study Group board since it’s inception. She has been married to Rick since 1975, has two adult children, and enjoys her farm on weekends in North Central Kansas.

Cathy, an entrepreneur healthcare provider, has led in the creation of many birth centers. Prior to starting New Birth Company, Cathy was the Founder and CEO of Mercy and Truth Medical Missions free-standing birth center and primary care safety net clinics for 17 years. She has served in healthcare since 1982, starting as an LPN in rural Kansas. Cathy has served in over 40 countries globally, including Latin America, Africa, and China, bringing a variety of cross cultural flare to our birth center. Cathy also serves as adjunct faculty and teaches and writes on a variety of courses on issues effecting free standing birth centers.

Cathy earned her B.S and M.S from the University of Kansas. Cathy is a certified RN, F.N.P.-BC, and C.N.M. She has received many awards including the first recipient of Ingram’s Heroes in Health Care, Kansas City Shining Star Award from the Maternal Child Health Coalition, and received the March of Dimes Future of Nursing Award. She is the author of “All Babies Are Born,” a collection of global birthing stories.

"My nursing career began as a geriatric aide in a nursing home in 1977. My dad talked his friend into hiring me because he didn't want me working fast food. Although the work was hard, I experienced power and joy in serving others. I loved it!
This humble beginning led to floor nursing, management, an advanced degree in nursing, providing primary care, and being an entrepreneur. I never could have imagined this path as a 16-year-old geriatric aide. I hadn't even heard of nurse practitioners. But here I am, the owner of Hermes Healthcare PA.
It hasn't all been easy. There have been many trials along the way. Thankfully, there have been people along the way to guide me and remind me that it isn't my plan. It is God's plan, and He will see it through. 
I also could not have imagined that I would be on the board of KAPN. Or that we would achieve full practice authority! It has truly been an honor to serve alongside this amazing group of leaders. I am indebted to those who have gone before to blaze the trail and fight the battles. Being a part of this group and getting to know the members has instilled greater respect for our profession."